NICOL CRASHES
England’s Sarah-Jane ends Malaysian’s British Open hopes
NICOL David’s hopes of regaining the British Open title went up in smoke after a defeat to England’s Sarah-Jane Perry in the semi-finals in Hull yesterday. Seeking to add to her previous five wins at the storied tournament, Nicol lost 11-8, 7-11, 13-11, 11-7 as Sarah-Jane set up a first all-English women's British Open final since 1991 against Laura Massaro.
World No 8 Sarah-Jane had beaten seventh-ranked Nicol for the first time at the Al Ahram International in September last year and gained the upperhand in their sixth meeting after winning a tense third game.
Both players held game points with eight-time world champion Nicol unable to convert an 11-10 advantage as Sarah-Jane scored three successive points to take the lead into the fourth game.
Former World No 1 Nicol persevered to reduce a 9-5 deficit in the fourth game to 9-7 but Sarah-Jane secured the two points she needed to reach the final for the first time.
Nicol was attempting to reach the British Open final for the first time since her last victory in 2014 after ending a 15month PSA Tour title drought just two weeks ago in Colombia.
Laura, the 2013 British Open winner, recovered from two games down to oust defending champion and World No 1 Nour El Sherbini of Egypt 5-11, 7-11, 11-5, 11-3, 116 in an earlier semi-final.
On Friday, Nicol won her quarter-final against World No 2 Camille Serme of France with a convincing display to post an 11-6, 11-6, 11-8 victory.
“I have had time to reflect and I appreciate still having the opportunity to compete in a tournament like this,” Nicol said after her improving her record against Camille, the 2015 British Open champion, to 18-0.
“I want to make the most of it and enjoy it. My body feels as if it’s at a top level.”